When soil has been disturbed or removed during cleanup of structural debris or vegetation after a fire, the first step is to do an assessment of the remaining soil properties. In some cases, soils may be deep enough and of sufficient quality that the losses are not significant.
In other cases, especially where soils were thin, added to the landscape in the past, or easily compacted or eroded, several restoration actions may be required. A county Cooperative Extension educator or online resource can be consulted about the properties and reactions of your specific soil. Often, the addition of organic compost and tillage will remedy many fire impacts. In others, ripping or tillage or other remedies will be required to restore some productivity. Natural processes, including vegetation regrowth, can be restorative, but can take a long time, and may allow additional destruction of soil through erosion. A careful assessment and a plan to counter erosion and invasive species should be the first step towards recovery.
